The Central Public Works Department (CPWD) has awarded a Rs229.75 crore consultancy work for construction of a new Parliament building to HCP Design, Planning and Management Pvt Ltd.
The government awarded the contract following a pre-bid conference meeting held on 12 September 2019 where 24 bidders participated. The issues raised in the meeting were addressed.
Technical bids were opened on 30 September. A total of six bids were received. After examining the initial eligibility and technical parameters, all bidders were asked to make their presentation on 11 October on approach and methodology before a Jury consisting of reputed architects and landscape designer under the chairmanship of Prof PSN Rao, director, School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), Delhi and chairman Delhi Urban Art Commission (DUAC).
Four bidders were formally selected for opening of financial bid, which was opened on 12 Octomer 2019.
After assigning the weightage of 80 per cent to technical, ie quality aspect, and 20 per cent to financial, HCP Design, Planning & Management Pvt. Ltd has emerged the highest scores. They are one of the leading architect firms in India, having vast experience of designing various buildings and spaces like Central Vista and State Secretariat at Gandhinagar; Sabarmati River Front Development, Ahmedabad; Mumbai Port Complex;Redevelopment of Temple Complex, Varanasi; New Campus, IIM Ahmedabad and CII-SN Centre of Excellence Kolkata etc.
They have designed some projects outside India also. After the Master Plan is prepared steps would be taken to execute the works by CPWD by awarding the works to reputed eligible contractors.
The firm is on board for development of the Master Plan of Central Vista area and design of buildings as per new requirements. The government. has set stringent timelines for completion of the development/redevelopment of Parliament building, Common Central Secretariat and Central Vista. While the timelines given to CPWD to complete the Central Vista project is November 2021, the work on Parliament building is to be completed by March 2022 and the Common Central Secretariat by March 2024.
The plan is to improve the old buildings on Raisina Hills, make improved common secretariat buildings, refurbish old Parliament building, make new space for newly elected MPs and upgrade the entire Central Vista area by revisiting entire Master Plan.
The buildings on Raisina Hills were constructed in the period from 1911 to 1931, designed by Sir Edwin Lutyen and Sir Herbert Baker.
The Central Vista starting from Rashtrapati Bhawan upto India Gate is the heart of city which has been point of attraction for visitors from all over the world.
These buildings are being constructed aver a period of above 100 years after the conceptualisation of building on Raisina Hill and adjoining to Rajpath. The requirement has now increased manifold. These buildings designed earlier are not now able to provide enough space, amenities and comfort requirement. The requirement of safety standards have also got improved.
In terms of offices, now more space is required to accommodate all Central Govt. offices at nearby area. Due to delimitation, more MPs may be there in future and hence more space is required for them. Even for the present MPs, the space and amenities required are quite insufficient in Parliament House. Lots of visitors come to Central Vista from India and abroad and there is an imperative need to improve the beauty of Central Vista to make it a world class tourist attraction point.